Blue-light filtering spectacle lenses for visual performance, sleep, and macular health in adults.

Background: 'Blue-light filtering', or 'blue-light blocking', spectacle lenses filter ultraviolet radiation and varying portions of short-wavelength visible light from reaching the eye. Various blue-light filtering lenses are commercially available. Some claims exist that they can improve visual performance with digital device use, provide retinal protection, and promote sleep quality.

Clinical audit as an educative tool for optometrists: an intervention study in age-related macular degeneration.

Purpose: Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a major cause of vision loss. This study investigated whether performing clinical audit and receiving analytical performance feedback altered documentation of the AMD care provided by optometrists.

Methods: Australian optometrists were recruited and completed a survey about their demographics and confidence in AMD care, and a three-month audit of their practice records using an AMD audit tool (termed the pre-audit evaluation).

Knowledge, perspectives and clinical practices of Australian optometrists in relation to childhood myopia.

Background: The aim was to investigate the understanding of Australian optometrists in relation to myopia, its natural history and associations with vision-threatening ocular disease, self-reported clinical diagnosis and management approaches for childhood myopia, engagement with adult caregivers, and utilisation of information to guide practice.

Methods: An online survey was distributed to Australian optometrists (n = 4,124). Respondents provided information about their demographics (for example, gender, age, practice location and modality), myopia knowledge, self-reported practice behaviours relating to childhood myopia, the information and evidence base used to guide their practice, and perceived extent of adult caregiver engagement in making management decisions for myopic children.

Analysis of a Systematic Review About Blue Light-Filtering Intraocular Lenses for Retinal Protection: Understanding the Limitations of the Evidence.

Importance: Cataract surgery, with intraocular lens (IOL) implantation, is the most common ocular surgical procedure worldwide. It has been suggested that IOLs that selectively attenuate short wavelength visible light (blue light-filtering IOLs) may be beneficial for macular health. Whether blue light-filtering IOLs impart retinal photoprotection is of public health relevance, particularly in the context of aging demographics and the increasing global prevalence of age-related macular degeneration.

Blue-light filtering intraocular lenses (IOLs) for protecting macular health.

Background: An intraocular lens (IOL) is a synthetic lens that is surgically implanted within the eye following removal of the crystalline lens, during cataract surgery. While all modern IOLs attenuate the transmission of ultra-violet (UV) light, some IOLs, called blue-blocking or blue-light filtering IOLs, also reduce short-wavelength visible light transmission. The rationale for blue-light filtering IOLs derives primarily from cell culture and animal studies, which suggest that short-wavelength visible light can induce retinal photoxicity.

Comparing self-reported optometric dry eye clinical practices in Australia and the United Kingdom: is there scope for practice improvement?

Purpose: The aim of this study was to compare the self-reported clinical practice behaviours of optometrists in Australia and the United Kingdom (UK) with respect to the diagnosis and management of dry eye disease (DED). We also sought to examine whether the reported practices of clinicians in each region were consistent with current evidence-based recommendations for DED.

Methods: An online survey was distributed to optometrists (Australia, n = 654; UK, n = 1006).

Assessing ocular bulbar redness: a comparison of methods.

Purpose: We consider whether quantification of ocular bulbar redness, using image processing of relative Red-channel activity (Red-value), can be applied to a clinical sample and how this approach compares to an automated bulbar redness grading technique (Oculus Keratograph 5M, R-scan).

Methods: Red-values from dry eye patients (n = 25) were determined using image processing of digital photographs over the nasal bulbar conjunctiva. Red-values were compared with subjective grades from six clinicians who graded the images using the IER scale.

A Pragmatic Approach to Dry Eye Diagnosis: Evidence into Practice.

Dry eye disease (DED) is a common, multifactorial disease of the tears and anterior ocular surface. The clinical diagnosis of DED is complex, requiring the consideration of both patient symptoms and signs, which can be apparently contradictory. Misdiagnosis can lead to suboptimal clinical management.

A Pragmatic Approach to the Management of Dry Eye Disease: Evidence into Practice.

Dry eye disease (DED) is a highly prevalent chronic ocular disorder that can lead to significant discomfort and visual disturbance. It is a potentially debilitating condition that can have significant negative impact on quality of life. A diverse range of management options exists for DED, including tear supplement products, anti-inflammatory agents, immunomodulators, punctal occlusive devices, and environmental modifiers.

The self-reported clinical practice behaviors of Australian optometrists as related to smoking, diet and nutritional supplementation.

Objective: The primary aim of this study was to examine the self-reported, routine clinical practice behaviors of Australian optometrists with respect to advice regarding smoking, diet and nutritional supplementation. The study also sought to assess the potential influence of practitioner age, gender, practice location (major city versus regional), therapeutic-endorsement status and personal nutritional supplementation habits upon management practices in these areas.

Methods: A survey was electronically distributed to Australian optometrists (n = 4,242).

The personal nutrition-related attitudes and behaviors of Australian optometrists: is there evidence for an evidence-based approach?

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the personal nutrition-related attitudes and behaviors of Australian optometrists and, in particular, their understanding of the evidence relating to the merit of specific dietary supplements, as applicable to their own health.

Methods: An online survey was distributed to optometrists registered in Australia (N = 4242). Respondents anonymously provided information regarding their demographic characteristics (age, sex, practice location and modality), diet and lifestyle behaviors (assessment of self-perceived diet quality, smoking status), and nutritional supplement intake (including the rationale for consumption).

Nutrition and age-related macular degeneration: research evidence in practice.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of irreversible visual impairment in developed countries. In the absence of effective treatments to slow AMD progression, it is predicted that the prevalence of AMD will double over the next 20 years. One area of significant interest is the potential role that nutrition may play in preventing and/or delaying the progression of AMD.

An evidence-based analysis of Australian optometrists' dry eye practices.

Purpose: The aims of this study were to investigate the clinical practices of Australian optometrists as related to the diagnosis, quantification, and management of dry eye and to assess whether these are consistent with research evidence and current guidelines.

Methods: An online survey was distributed to registered optometrists (n = 654). Respondents provided information regarding their preferred diagnostic procedures and management strategies for dry eye, practice modality, year of commencing practice, and whether they possessed an interest in dry eye.